Cold War Mil Mi-A4 Hound 1/72

[pourquoi61]

So it's second time around for me on Cold War duty. We need some more helicopters in this ISM Build.
One out of my stash.








Design work on the Mi-4 helicopter started in the second half of 1951 and the aircraft was flown in prototype form in August 1952. In appearance it closely resembled the contemporary Sikorsky S-55, but in terms of size and performance it equated with Sikorsky's later S-58. The Mi-4 was already in Soviet Air Force service by August 1953, when it was first seen publicly at the Tushino Aviation Day display, and it has since become the most widely built of all Soviet helicopters. Production is believed to have ceased around 1964, by which time several thousand had been built both in the Soviet Union and in China.

The Mi-4 was produced initially as a troop and assault transport helicopter for the Soviet armed forces. This version is characterised by circular cabin windows and a ventral fairing in which an observer can be stationed if required. Alternatively an additional fuel tank can be fitted in this position. One major difference between the Mi-4 and the S-55 is that the former has clamshell rear loading doors through which a maximum internal payload of 1600kg can be admitted. Typical military loads of the Mi-4 include 14 fully equipped troops, a GAZ-59 command vehicle, a 76mm anti-tank gun or 2 motorcycle combinations. Military Mi-4's have been exported to a number of air forces in the Soviet bloc, among the largest users being India, which has sixty, and Cuba, which has twenty-four.

[pourquoi61]

I first sprayed the model on the sprues with a rattle can of Games Workshop Stormvermin Fur.
The cockpit sides were painted Tamiya Dark Sea Grey XF-54.

The floor, instrument panel and a back plate were painted Citadel Ice Blue.
The power drive cover I painted Citadel Ironbreaker.

As was some rotor/gear drive parts.

The main cargo area roof and rear doors were given a wash of Citadel Agrax Earthshade.




The helicopter engine cover has cooling fins on the side, these are open so once the two sides are joined together you can see straight through.
I cut some thin plaster card to size painted black on one side and glued in place.


The cockpit was assembled and painted ready for a dry fit.


It fits very well indeed.
The cargo roof was glued in place and dry fitted.

As was the bulkhead and cargo floor.

I am going to have the rear doors closed, so they were fixed into place.

Then a dry fit of both halves produced a very good fit indeed.

That's all for now.
Thanks for dropping by.

[pourquoi61]

So I have missed a photo where the side windows are in.
Time to mask the office windows.

New blade and masking tape for that one.
Bulged windows in the office doors.

The lower window is masked before installation by laying on Tamiya masking tape and cutting around the edges.
I glued the front windscreen in which just dropped in lovely and the office doors went on next.
The two halves glued together with no fuss.



I will mask the side windows with Airfix Maskol and do the bottom colour first.
Thanks for dropping by.

[pourquoi61]

So as I said in the last post the windows have been masked with Airfix Maskol.


It was at this point that I realised that the "chin gun" for want of better words had not been constructed.
So with no problems in construction it was built and glued on.

The colour guide indicated that Tamiya and Humbrol had not manufactured the "Russian Blue" for the underside, so I mixed one up.
It looked like this.

Using Tamiya colours @ 50% XF-8 +50% XF-23 then I added XF-2 till it looked right to me.

Then sprayed to the model and other lower helicopter components.
So it looked like this when on.

Thanks for dropping by.

[SkyPainter303]

What a fast build. I can't seem to successfully build helicopters. I am 1 for 4 chopper builds. Hobby Boss makes some interesting helicopters though.

[pourquoi61]

What a fast build. I can't seem to successfully build helicopters. I am 1 for 4 chopper builds. Hobby Boss makes some interesting helicopters though.

I have had no problems at all with this kit and the fit is just great. Some small parts for my old eyes but for me the fun is in the weathering.
I will build another chopper soon as I have the Mil Mi-8 in the stash.
Buy one and give it a go, I am sure you will finish it and it will look great.

[pourquoi61]

Okay, on with the build and after leaving the paint to dry overnight it is time to mask the underside of the helicopter.
I used Tamiya masking tape and Airfix Maskol.


Vallejo Model Air 71017 Russian Green will be used for the top coat.


As it is a hot day in England I added some thinners to the paint mix in hope that the paint would not dry before it hit the model.
(Tamiya X-20A) It worked!


So with some paint still in the cup I added about four drops of yellow to the mix.

For some highlights.
Just visible in the bright sun.


Once dry, I gave it one hour then I removed the masking tape.


The undercarriage was then glued on.

Then the wheels painted.

That's all for today.
Thanks for dropping by.

[smokeriderdon]

I am liking it!

[pourquoi61]

I am liking it!

Thank you sir.

[pourquoi61]

Another hot day in England!
The build continues with a coat of Tamiya clear, I gave it one hour to dry as the temperature is on the up.
Next step, the decals.

While the clear coat dried I built the main rotor and painted the mechanical gubbins Citadel Ironbreaker.
The blades are given a matte coat with white paint added and sprayed into the rotor sections.

Decals on with no fuss and a wipe of Microsol set.



The helicopter is also given a matte coat with white added.

I think it was a little too much so a light spray of Russian Green plus Yellow is sprayed back on.
I always save paint mixes until the model is done.
When dry, Tamiya clear coat is sprayed .

Once dry a wash will be applied but that's all for now.

[pourquoi61]

Wax on Wax off.
Sorry that should read wash on and wash off, as that is all that I have done today.
That and a ten hour shift at work.
Wash on, a clay wash black.



Wash off.



Thanks for dropping by.

[DRUMS01]

Really nice work so far....

[pourquoi61]

Really nice work so far....

Thanks I hope it continues till the end of the build.

[pourquoi61]

The last leg. Gave the model a covering of matte clear, stuck the decals to the rear rotor. The exhausts were painted Airfix 113 Rust.
The rotor gears and exhausts were given a wash of Citadel Nuln Oil (black).

.
I will remove the window masks and add the top rotor just before the final reveal.
Thanks for dropping by.

[warpedcrisis]

nice work there

[pourquoi61]

nice work there

Thank you sir.